Talking Points....
May 24, 2026
This week's group discussion will focus on Pastor Doug's instructional series "Hearing God's Voice."
I. Hearing God's Voice.
A. God's whisper.
1. 1 Kings 19:9b-13 - The Lord said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
Elijah replied, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”
“Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.
And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
2. Why do you think that God frequently speaks in a whisper?
B. There are two main categories for how we hear from God.
1. We hear from the general voice of God and the specific voice of God.
2. Are you grateful that God chooses to speak to us in different ways, why?
C. We all want to hear the specific voice of God.
1. We have become so concentrated on waiting for the specific words from God, that we miss hearing the general words from God every day.
2. When we find ourselves missing the general word of God because we are focused on waiting for specific words, what should we do to change that so we are able to hear both?
D. Don't wait until you have a major life decision to make, before you decide to tune in and hear from God.
1. It will be much more difficult to recognize His voice when He speaks, if we are not already preparing our hearts to hear from Him every day as we pray and spend time in His Word.
2. How has spending time in His Word and prayer helped you to hear from Him?
E. The general voice of God is when we get a word from the Word.
1. Romans 10:17 - So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.
2. Share a time when you got a word from God when you were spending time in His Word.
F. Every day, we need to get a word from the Word.
1. 2 Timothy 3:16 - All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
2. 2 Timothy 3:16 TPT - God has transmitted his very substance into every Scripture, for it is God-breathed. It will empower you by its instruction and correction, giving you the strength to take the right direction and lead you deeper into the path of godliness. Then you will be God’s servant, fully mature and perfectly prepared to fulfill any assignment God gives you.
3. What habits have you made to help you spend more time in His Word?
G. The Holy Spirit reminds us of what He has told us in the Bible.
1. We get to a place where someone will say or do something, and suddenly we get a check in our spirit that it does not feel or sound right, because their words are not lining up with the Word in our heart.
2. Has this ever happened to you? How did it help you?
H. Frequently, the voice is more recognizable than the look.
1. The more you are around God, praying and reading His word, the easier it will be to recognize His voice when He speaks.
2. Have you ever found yourself not hearing from God when you thought you should? What changes did you make to hear from Him?
I. Normally, we would like God to plainly and specifically tell us what to do since He knows best.
1. Why do you think God does not normally tell us things plainly and specifically?
J. Many believers think that God stopped speaking to people after Jesus went to the cross and rose again.
1. How can we help believers who feel this way understand that God hasn't stopped speaking?
K. Sheep recognize the voice of Their shepherd.
1. John 10:1-4, 14-16, 27 - “I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice.
“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
2. When you find yourself hearing other voices, what has helped you ignore them and listen to what God is trying to tell you?
L. We hear from God because we are sheep, not shepherds.
1. God has hardwired us as sheep, to hear from Him, our shepherd.
2. Some hear from Him, and turn and follow, while others reject.
3. How do you think it makes God feel when we choose to hear from and follow Him, and how do you think it makes Him feel when others choose not to hear from and follow Him?
M. Confirming Holy Spirit.
1. Colossians 3:15 - And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
2. Colossians 3:15 AMP - Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always].
3. Peace equals ruled safe. No peace equals ruled out.
4. We need His peace.
5. How has His peace helped you with making a decision?
N. Reflection time.
1. What has stood out to you the most with this message "Hearing God's Voice"
This week's group discussion will focus on Pastor Doug's instructional series "Hearing God's Voice."
I. Hearing God's Voice.
A. God's whisper.
1. 1 Kings 19:9b-13 - The Lord said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
Elijah replied, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”
“Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.
And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
2. Why do you think that God frequently speaks in a whisper?
B. There are two main categories for how we hear from God.
1. We hear from the general voice of God and the specific voice of God.
2. Are you grateful that God chooses to speak to us in different ways, why?
C. We all want to hear the specific voice of God.
1. We have become so concentrated on waiting for the specific words from God, that we miss hearing the general words from God every day.
2. When we find ourselves missing the general word of God because we are focused on waiting for specific words, what should we do to change that so we are able to hear both?
D. Don't wait until you have a major life decision to make, before you decide to tune in and hear from God.
1. It will be much more difficult to recognize His voice when He speaks, if we are not already preparing our hearts to hear from Him every day as we pray and spend time in His Word.
2. How has spending time in His Word and prayer helped you to hear from Him?
E. The general voice of God is when we get a word from the Word.
1. Romans 10:17 - So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.
2. Share a time when you got a word from God when you were spending time in His Word.
F. Every day, we need to get a word from the Word.
1. 2 Timothy 3:16 - All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
2. 2 Timothy 3:16 TPT - God has transmitted his very substance into every Scripture, for it is God-breathed. It will empower you by its instruction and correction, giving you the strength to take the right direction and lead you deeper into the path of godliness. Then you will be God’s servant, fully mature and perfectly prepared to fulfill any assignment God gives you.
3. What habits have you made to help you spend more time in His Word?
G. The Holy Spirit reminds us of what He has told us in the Bible.
1. We get to a place where someone will say or do something, and suddenly we get a check in our spirit that it does not feel or sound right, because their words are not lining up with the Word in our heart.
2. Has this ever happened to you? How did it help you?
H. Frequently, the voice is more recognizable than the look.
1. The more you are around God, praying and reading His word, the easier it will be to recognize His voice when He speaks.
2. Have you ever found yourself not hearing from God when you thought you should? What changes did you make to hear from Him?
I. Normally, we would like God to plainly and specifically tell us what to do since He knows best.
1. Why do you think God does not normally tell us things plainly and specifically?
J. Many believers think that God stopped speaking to people after Jesus went to the cross and rose again.
1. How can we help believers who feel this way understand that God hasn't stopped speaking?
K. Sheep recognize the voice of Their shepherd.
1. John 10:1-4, 14-16, 27 - “I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice.
“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
2. When you find yourself hearing other voices, what has helped you ignore them and listen to what God is trying to tell you?
L. We hear from God because we are sheep, not shepherds.
1. God has hardwired us as sheep, to hear from Him, our shepherd.
2. Some hear from Him, and turn and follow, while others reject.
3. How do you think it makes God feel when we choose to hear from and follow Him, and how do you think it makes Him feel when others choose not to hear from and follow Him?
M. Confirming Holy Spirit.
1. Colossians 3:15 - And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
2. Colossians 3:15 AMP - Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always].
3. Peace equals ruled safe. No peace equals ruled out.
4. We need His peace.
5. How has His peace helped you with making a decision?
N. Reflection time.
1. What has stood out to you the most with this message "Hearing God's Voice"